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Abstract

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​In this study, CNSL (cashew nut shell liquid), an economically viable
feedstock among the other contemporary resources, has been considered as
an appropriate source of alternate fuel. Herein, CNSL was extracted
from cashew nut outer shell, a waste product, through a unique approach
of steam treatment process followed by mechanical crushing technique. In
contrast to the past studies that have attempted to use unprocessed
CNSL directly as substitute for diesel, this study has resorted to use
processed CNSL by cracking it using zeolite catalyst. Thus, both the
extraction of CNSL from cashew nut outer shell and processing of it
through catalytic cracking process to help synthesize CC-CNSL
(catalytically cracked CNSL) are different, which underscores the
significance of the current work. In wake of adopting such distinct
methodologies with fuel characterization, the properties of CC-CNSL such
as viscosity and calorific value were figured out to be improved.
Subsequently, CC-CNSL20 (20% CC-CNSL and 80% diesel) was tested at
different fuel injection pressure such as 200 bar, 235 bar, 270 bar and
300 bar so as to optimize its use in a single cylinder diesel engine.
From the engine experimental study, CC-CNSL20 was found to evince better
engine performance than diesel and the composite emissions of CO
(carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbon), NOX (oxides of
nitrogen) and smoke, computed based on ISO 8178 D2 standard test cycle,
were found to be better than diesel and incompliance with the
legislative norms for genset.